South Korean president's only son in tax probe

South Korean prosecutors are to refer President Lee Myung-Bak's only son to
the tax authorities as they handed down indictments over a project to build
Mr Lee's retirement home.

Lee Si-Hyung (centre), South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak's only son, speaks to the media as he arrives at a special prosecutor's office in southern Seoul on October 25, 2012. Photo: AFP PHOTO / JUNG YEON-JEJUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images

2:48AM GMT 14 Nov 2012

Although Lee Si-Hyung was not among the three people indicted, prosecutors said his tax records would be checked by officials for possible imposition of gift tax on funds he received from family members to help purchase land for the home.

"We've decided to pass on documents to the National Tax Service," special prosecutor Lee Kwang-Bum told reporters.

Those indicted on various charges relating to breach of trust included the former head of the Presidential Security Service, Kim In-Jong.

The indictments followed a one-month investigation by special prosecutors into alleged irregularities in the purchase of a plot of land on the southern edge of Seoul.

The land was to be used to build a retirement home for Mr Lee, who will formally leave office in February having served the single presidential term allowed under the South Korean constitution.